Kigali has been ranked the second most popular city in Africa for hosting international meetings, according to the latest report by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Rwanda also secured third place among African countries for hosting such events.
This is the fifth year in a row that Kigali has earned this ranking. The Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) says this shows the country’s growing reputation as a trusted and preferred destination for global meetings and events.
In a statement released on Tuesday, May 27, the RCB credited the strong performance to Rwanda’s visa-on-arrival policy for all nationalities, RwandAir’s expanding network, and the country’s modern event facilities. These include the Kigali Convention Centre, BK Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and Intare Conference Arena, all known for hosting large international conferences and exhibitions.
In 2024, Rwanda welcomed over 52,000 conference delegates, earning more than $84.8 million in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) revenue. Around 17,000 of these attendees participated in international association meetings such as the FIA Annual General Assembly, ICANN 80 Policy Forum, the INGSA Conference, and the Africa Food Systems Forum.
“We are happy to see Kigali and Rwanda recognized again,” said Jane Karemera, CEO of RCB. “This achievement is thanks to many partners in the events industry and the trust global associations have in our country. We will continue working hard to offer excellent support for future events.”
In 2025, Rwanda will host the ICCA Skills Hub, which will include two professional training programs: the Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) course in July and the Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) course in October.
Tourism remains one of Rwanda’s strongest sectors. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) reported that the country earned $647 million from tourism in 2024, with expectations to reach $700 million in 2025.
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